Synergy Shadow overflow emergency pipe question

AddictReef · 12/16/2018, 11:53 AM

Installing a Synergy Shadow overflow right now on a new build.

Is it me or is the recommended 7” high pipe for the emergency overflow seem really tall.

When put in the box it’s it’s less than an 1” from the very top of the box.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

AddictReef · 12/16/2018, 01:36 PM

Am I the wrong forum?

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

mcgyvr · 12/16/2018, 03:11 PM

1" below the top is fine...you can lower it if you want..

neilp2006 · 12/16/2018, 06:06 PM

Yes it is.

If you lower the plumbing to regain BA triple safety then it gets noisy due to weir drop

Safe or noisy. Up to you

Running it 1” below the top will put you “out of running spec” (0.5” according to company dude, but not shown on the videos) and only lead to you getting called out by the company when you complain about the noise

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

AddictReef · 12/16/2018, 06:19 PM

Thanks for the info. I surely don’t want it to run loudly

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

eutimio · 12/16/2018, 06:24 PM

Mine is barely 1/2” from the overflow cover. I might have cut it a little longer.
I left it that way. It will work in case of emergency and the lid fits.
Dead silent too.

frankv702 · 12/16/2018, 06:28 PM

Mine is about 1/2” from the top as well. I’ve simulated the main drain and second drain clog and it all goes down the emergency drain fine. I was nervous with having it that high but after testing it, it’s fine.

AddictReef · 12/16/2018, 06:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by frankv702

Mine is about 1/2” from the top as well. I’ve simulated the main drain and second drain clog and it all goes down the emergency drain fine. I was nervous with having it that high but after testing it, it’s fine.

This is great to hear. Ok I will keep it this way.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

neilp2006 · 12/16/2018, 06:33 PM

It’s all about flow

I did mine as recommended, but I put 800gph through mine. 180 display at 4.5x flow. Flooded twice in 2 tests. I had to drop it to 1.5” below and now it’s too loud

Let those guys post their flow rates before you get too excited

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

neilp2006 · 12/16/2018, 06:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eutimio

Mine is barely 1/2” from the overflow cover. I might have cut it a little longer.
I left it that way. It will work in case of emergency and the lid fits.
Dead silent too.

Flow rate?

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

neilp2006 · 12/16/2018, 06:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by frankv702

Mine is about 1/2” from the top as well. I’ve simulated the main drain and second drain clog and it all goes down the emergency drain fine. I was nervous with having it that high but after testing it, it’s fine.

Flow rate?

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

frankv702 · 12/16/2018, 06:46 PM

I’ve never actually measured flow rate but I run an eco tech vectra L1 at 80%. About 8 feet of head height. Tank is a 170g tank. I’d assume the flow is around 900gph. I have the 16” synergy overflow box. The main drain and secondary drain I have reduced to 1” after the unions about 12” below the box. The emergency drain is 1.5” all the way to the sump.

eutimio · 12/16/2018, 07:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by neilp2006

It’s all about flow

I did mine as recommended, but I put 800gph through mine. 180 display at 4.5x flow. Flooded twice in 2 tests. I had to drop it to 1.5” below and now it’s too loud

Let those guys post their flow rates before you get too excited

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I reduced to 1” after the unions.
About 600GPH or more . 2 Eheim return pumps , 4ft head.
Synergy says the overflow can handle 2500gph but 1500gph is the sweet spot. That’s with 1.5” drains.

AddictReef · 12/16/2018, 08:53 PM

I was planning on running right around 1500 maybe a little more through it.

I ran 1 1/2 all the way for all 3 lines

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

neilp2006 · 12/16/2018, 09:04 PM

Your siphon will be silent.

Your ‘weir drop’ will sound like a faucet is running on medium

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Dean Ladd · 12/24/2018, 02:49 PM

I run a Synergy on my 215 at about 1000 gph. It is silent unless you take the lid off and get within a few inches of the box. If you turn the volume up in the video most of the sump room noise is the sump itself.

I run the main overflow at a 4 1/4" height and 1 1/2" drain to the sump. Fully submerged. I run the secondary at 5 3/4" with 1" drain pipe to sump. The secondary overflow has a slight drain at all times. Never measured it but I would guess about 100 gph of the total overflow. As you can see from the video the emergency overflow has nothing flowing through it. Its height is about 6 1/2". If I was pushing the limits of the Synergy Overflow I would probably run the emergency stand pipe with a 1 1/2" drain pipe to the sump. I can not image any scenario under which my system is running that would result in needing the emergency overflow at all. The return pump is running wide open as it is.
Select HD for best Video

cali9dub · 12/24/2018, 04:26 PM

I have this same overflow and hate it. I can get it silent, but I get all kinds of salt creep around the lid from water that splashed inside onto the bottom of the lid. Total mess all the time..definitely quiet though !

ca1ore · 12/27/2018, 11:40 AM

It’s poorly designed IMO. Dropping the external box below the level of the internal skim box makes no sense to me and creates all kinds of problems. As you approach the practical maximum, you simply cannot get the water level high enough to avoid splashing sounds. It would be easy to fix, not sure why they don’t. Fortunately there are alternatives that dont have that problem.

NanoReefWanabe · 12/28/2018, 07:48 AM

In the above video, there is no need for the emergency to be that high, and I don't understand why you guys are getting water fall sounds. Close the valve a hair and the water level in the box will rise... in above video of that is the operating level of the water, turn the emergency can be cut to 1/2" above that level.

Meg rebreather · 12/28/2018, 09:21 PM

Mine is running great how ever not sure if my return back to sump is ok...
https://photos.app.goo.gl/QgXL1HWBCLfvcpWU7...

Vinny Kreyling · 12/29/2018, 09:37 AM

Meg -- no picture -- says album is empty.

12/16/2018, 11:53 AM	#1
AddictReef Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2015 Posts: 53	Synergy Shadow overflow emergency pipe question Installing a Synergy Shadow overflow right now on a new build. Is it me or is the recommended 7” high pipe for the emergency overflow seem really tall. When put in the box it’s it’s less than an 1” from the very top of the box. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

12/16/2018, 03:11 PM	#3
mcgyvr Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 20,050	1" below the top is fine...you can lower it if you want.. __________________ Who me?

12/16/2018, 06:06 PM	#4
neilp2006 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2015 Posts: 312	Synergy Shadow overflow emergency pipe question Yes it is. If you lower the plumbing to regain BA triple safety then it gets noisy due to weir drop Safe or noisy. Up to you Running it 1” below the top will put you “out of running spec” (0.5” according to company dude, but not shown on the videos) and only lead to you getting called out by the company when you complain about the noise Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

12/24/2018, 02:49 PM	#16
Dean Ladd Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Land-Of-Oz Posts: 191	I run a Synergy on my 215 at about 1000 gph. It is silent unless you take the lid off and get within a few inches of the box. If you turn the volume up in the video most of the sump room noise is the sump itself. I run the main overflow at a 4 1/4" height and 1 1/2" drain to the sump. Fully submerged. I run the secondary at 5 3/4" with 1" drain pipe to sump. The secondary overflow has a slight drain at all times. Never measured it but I would guess about 100 gph of the total overflow. As you can see from the video the emergency overflow has nothing flowing through it. Its height is about 6 1/2". If I was pushing the limits of the Synergy Overflow I would probably run the emergency stand pipe with a 1 1/2" drain pipe to the sump. I can not image any scenario under which my system is running that would result in needing the emergency overflow at all. The return pump is running wide open as it is. Select HD for best Video __________________ Have Fun! Dean Current Tank Info: 135 gal reef (retired 04/2018 after 18 years) Upgrade to 215 gal DT mostly soft and lps

12/27/2018, 11:40 AM	#18
ca1ore Grizzled & Cynical Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Stamford, CT Posts: 17,319	It’s poorly designed IMO. Dropping the external box below the level of the internal skim box makes no sense to me and creates all kinds of problems. As you approach the practical maximum, you simply cannot get the water level high enough to avoid splashing sounds. It would be easy to fix, not sure why they don’t. Fortunately there are alternatives that dont have that problem. __________________ Simon Got back into the hobby ..... planned to keep it simple ..... yeah, right ..... clearly I need a new plan! Pet peeve: anemones host clowns; clowns do not host anemones! Current Tank Info: 450 Reef; 120 refugium; 60 Frag Tank, 30 Introduction tank; multiple QTs

12/16/2018, 01:36 PM	#2
AddictReef Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2015 Posts: 53	Am I the wrong forum? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

12/16/2018, 06:19 PM	#5
AddictReef Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2015 Posts: 53	Thanks for the info. I surely don’t want it to run loudly Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

12/16/2018, 06:24 PM	#6
eutimio Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Posts: 102	Mine is barely 1/2” from the overflow cover. I might have cut it a little longer. I left it that way. It will work in case of emergency and the lid fits. Dead silent too.

12/16/2018, 06:28 PM	#7
frankv702 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2015 Posts: 132	Mine is about 1/2” from the top as well. I’ve simulated the main drain and second drain clog and it all goes down the emergency drain fine. I was nervous with having it that high but after testing it, it’s fine.

12/16/2018, 06:33 PM	#9
neilp2006 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2015 Posts: 312	It’s all about flow I did mine as recommended, but I put 800gph through mine. 180 display at 4.5x flow. Flooded twice in 2 tests. I had to drop it to 1.5” below and now it’s too loud Let those guys post their flow rates before you get too excited Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

12/16/2018, 06:46 PM	#12
frankv702 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2015 Posts: 132	I’ve never actually measured flow rate but I run an eco tech vectra L1 at 80%. About 8 feet of head height. Tank is a 170g tank. I’d assume the flow is around 900gph. I have the 16” synergy overflow box. The main drain and secondary drain I have reduced to 1” after the unions about 12” below the box. The emergency drain is 1.5” all the way to the sump.

12/16/2018, 08:53 PM	#14
AddictReef Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2015 Posts: 53	I was planning on running right around 1500 maybe a little more through it. I ran 1 1/2 all the way for all 3 lines Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

12/16/2018, 09:04 PM	#15
neilp2006 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2015 Posts: 312	Your siphon will be silent. Your ‘weir drop’ will sound like a faucet is running on medium Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

12/24/2018, 04:26 PM	#17
cali9dub Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Cape Coral, Florida Posts: 888	I have this same overflow and hate it. I can get it silent, but I get all kinds of salt creep around the lid from water that splashed inside onto the bottom of the lid. Total mess all the time..definitely quiet though !

12/28/2018, 07:48 AM	#19
NanoReefWanabe Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Barrie, Ontario, Canada Posts: 6,639	In the above video, there is no need for the emergency to be that high, and I don't understand why you guys are getting water fall sounds. Close the valve a hair and the water level in the box will rise... in above video of that is the operating level of the water, turn the emergency can be cut to 1/2" above that level.

12/28/2018, 09:21 PM	#20
Meg rebreather Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Brisbane Australia Posts: 19	Mine is running great how ever not sure if my return back to sump is ok... https://photos.app.goo.gl/QgXL1HWBCLfvcpWU7...

12/29/2018, 09:37 AM	#21
Vinny Kreyling Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Miller Place, NY Posts: 7,206	Meg -- no picture -- says album is empty. __________________ 250 gallon mixed reef, 2 Reefbreeder's Photon V 2, Deepwater BLDC 12, DAS EX-3 Skimmer, MTC mini cal, 2-3/4" Sea Swirls, Aquacontroller & 6 Tunze pumps.